Again, Sylva, Dickson Trade Blame Over APC, PDP Clash In Bayelsa

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva and Governor Seriake Dickson Monday, again trade blames over the thursday violent political clash between supporters of All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Brass Local Government Area of the State.

The Bayelsa State Government had on Sunday reacted to an earlier claim by the Timipre Sylva Media Office that Governor Henry Seriake Dickson was planning a campaign of calumny against the former governor, describing it as a futile attempt to distract the government.‎

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said in a press release that Governor Dickson was too busy executing the mandate of the people of Bayelsa to join issues with politicians that have failed the state and the Ijaw nation.

The statement advised Sylva to stop using the name of the President to cover up his criminal activities in Bayelsa.

Dickson said that being in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be a license for Sylva to sponsor criminal activities to the detriment of peace and security in the state.

Chief Timpre Sylva in a reaction to Dickson’s reply to a public alert about a coordinated defamation campaign against Sylva being plotted by the governor‎, in a statement signed by Media Adviser to Sylva, Doifie Buokoribo, condemned the incumbent governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, for rationalising his campaign of calumny and violence against the ex-governor and his native Brass people.

Sylva described the act as indefensible in a statement issued this Monday by his media office.

It also came on the heels of the recent bloody violence orchestrated by the Dickson government in the hitherto peaceful Brass area of the state, in an apparent attempt to destabilise Sylva’s home.
The statement dismissed the press release by Dickson’s media aide on Sunday as a mere confirmation of the governor’s treacherous Gestapo plots against Sylva. It said the release was long on reasons for Dickson’s slanderous and violent machinations, but short on evidence of unlawful activity by Sylva.

Sylva’s media office also condemned Dickson’s profiling of Brass as “a den of criminals”, describing it as unfair, unjustified and unforgiveable.

The statement said, “Now that Dickson has told the world his excuses for plotting a campaign of slander against Sylva and destabilising the Brass Island, the propriety or impropriety of his pretexts is open to the judgement of God and man.

“But we dare say that the governor’s excuses are unfounded. His explanations are heavy with machinations and manoeuvrings, all executed with an eye to his signature dirty politics. This is more so as the virtual blab to the press by Dickson does not contain any evidence of Sylva’s link with any of the allegations posited as grounds for the governor’s wicked plots and activities.

“The profiling of Brass Local Government Council by Dickson shows his wicked mind-set towards the people he has always attempted to conquer, and demonstrates an innate pettiness and lack of broadmindedness in the administration of a state.

“Dickson would pass as the pettiest politician ever known to Nigerian politics. He is the only person who claims to have won an election but imagines eternally that he is being chased around by the shadow of the so-called loser. In one breathe, he calls Sylva a failed politician, in another, he sees Sylva’s shadow in every local community election in Bayelsa. He sees Sylva’s shadow in every local armed robbery in the state. He sees Sylva in his inability to govern, his inability to pay salaries, and his complete ineptitude. If this is not paranoia, it is hard to imagine what else it is.

“Now to the question of criminality. Dickson appointed known criminals and kidnappers as Caretaker Chairmen of local councils. He is encouraging criminality and brigandage, and blaming everyone else, except himself.

“It is surprising Dickson is not blaming his benefactor, Goodluck Jonathan, this time.

“The level of armed robbery in our state at the moment is unprecedented. Kidnappings and killings are on the rise. Our people cannot safely travel on the waterways, as sea pirates kill and pillage unchecked.

“Bayelsa is on the brink of collapse. Yet, Dickson feels his problem is Sylva.

“In an attempt to hide his swarming depravities, Dickson is meeting with Chief Edwin Clark to try to position himself as the one to solve the Niger Delta problem. Maybe as the sponsor of the problem, he knows what to do to stop it.

“But Dickson needs to be well advised to simply stay home and govern the people, instead of fighting his own devious shadows. His lack of forthrightness is what is breeding vices in unprecedented proportions in the state and the region.”